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Explore Chemistry

What is Explore Chemistry?

Explore Chemistry is a series of activities for students to explore and experience what Chemistry really is, not only as an area of study, but also a professional career. These activities are targeting Science undergraduate students in their first year, and so they will be in the best position to make an informed decision in choosing their areas of specialization at Western.

What are the Explore Chemistry activities?

Meet the Seniors

At the first event, we put the first year students in touch with the senior students in Chemistry, where they share their perspectives of the Chemistry program. Importantly, they discuss the paths they took in making their career choices, and what they plan to do after graduation with a degree in Chemistry. Additional information on the careers of our alumni can be found here.

Chemistry Mentors

Explore Chemistry offers first year students an option to find a mentor who is a senior student in the Chemistry program. This initiative is intended to complement other existing mentorship programs at Western.

Meet the Professionals

Professional chemists in the London area are invited to speak at the first year chemistry classes, and share with our students on what they do for a living. Students hopefully see that chemists are employed in many areas of science such as health, life, agriculture and environment. They also have the opportunities to meet with the visitor over coffee. Additional information on the career possiblities in Chemistry can be found here.

Sneak-a-peek to Science Internship

First year students are invited to an early preview of the Science Internship program, where recent interns in chemistry share their experience over pizza. The Internship coordinator is also present to answer questions about the operation of the program. Importantly, we discuss what students can do, starting from their first year, to help them compete for the most desired jobs two years later.

Shadow a Thesis Research Student

Many Honors programs have a thesis research course in the final year. An information session is presented to students on what undergraduate research is, and the various professional development workshops offered only in Chemistry’s capstone research course, such as resume building and mock interviews. Explore Chemistry also offers first year students the opportunity to experience being a thesis research student by shadowing one.

Loading Dock Chemistry

Passion and excitement are important factors of career decision. We want to remind everyone that Chemistry is fun, by ‘blowing off steam’ and making a mess at the loading dock.